ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Zaraa Mariyah-Lee Cabral sports appropriate eyewear at Saugus High’s graduation ceremony Friday.
BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SAUGUS — Saugus High School graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas Friday night at Stackpole Field.
“As said by philosopher and innovator, the one and only James Franco, ‘they hate us ‘cos they ain’t us,” said Salutatorian Omar Tuffaha.
Tuffaha pointed to the class’ participation in the drama program and band, and the skill of senior athletes.
Speech after speech, students and faculty spoke well of the graduates from academic success to prevailing over other classes on Color Day.
“Just think, we lived through ebola, Kony 2012, Rebecca Black and we still managed to graduate,” Tufaha said.
Teacher Valerie Bedard spoke of valedictorian Keis Bejgo, saying she has a love for learning.
“I cannot remember having any students more intellectually curious than she is,” Bedard said.
Bejgo, who will attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall, said it was the class’ passion that led to its accomplishments.
“As I look back at all that our class has achieved, both inside and outside the classroom, I see that it was our collective passion that led us to accomplish feats that no other class has,” Bejgo said. “It was our passion that drove us to dedicate the endless hours that we did towards color day, when we knew that as non-seniors, our chances of winning were slim.”
She said it was that passion that drove the class to achieve record grade point averages and test scores.
“It was our passion for education and sports that drove us to unite and flood down to protest budget cuts,” Bejgo said.
Jeannie Meredith, chairwoman of the school committee, encouraged graduates to maintain the values and ethics they’ve learned in high school as they enter the next chapter of their lives.
Brendon Sullivan, acting principal, said he had many of the graduating students in his class during their freshman year. He’s watched them take opportunities, which often come with challenges. He said learning how to deal with those trials have made them better and stronger.
“Push yourself beyond your comfort zone,” Sullivan said. “Always step beyond what you think you’re capable of.”
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.
